ATHENS — Zac Swansey scored 12 points and Georgia used a second half run to beat Presbyterian 55-47 on Friday night.
The Blue Hose (0-3) took a 30-28 lead with 17:03 left in the second half on two free throws by Bryan Bostic, who finished with 22 points and six rebounds. Bostic hit another shot with 12:33 remaining to give Presbyterian a 36-34 advantage.
But the Bulldogs (3-1) were led by Swansey’s six points to spark a 13-0 run, which was capped by Corey Butler’s 3-pointer with 9:09 left to put Georgia ahead 47-36.
Through the first five minutes of the half, Georgia had just one free throw and one field goal.
"The only thing I am really upset about is the way we started the second half," said Georgia Coach Dennis Felton. "We gave up some easy threes and some easy layups on the back side."
The closest Presbyterian came thereafter was five at 49-44 with seven minutes remaining.
Felton praised his team’s defense, but he was not happy with the offense.
"We are really young and immature," Felton said. "We are still finding our way. There are definitely times when we are pressing offensively."
Terrance Woodbury also scored 10 points for the Bulldogs, who shot 2 of 11 from the free throw line.
"I wish the free throws could have been better," Felton said. "We found ourselves in a war of a game."
Georgia outscored the Blue Hose 32-14 in the paint and scored 26 points off 21 turnovers compared to five points off 13 turnovers for Presbyterian.
Georgia built a 22-11 lead in the first half on a layup by Price with 6:49 remaining in the half.
Felton said a key for Georgia was dominating Presbyterian center Al’Lonzo Coleman. He managed eight points and six rebounds as the Bulldogs outscored Presbyterian 32-14 in the paint.
"Al’Lonzo looked like a prize fighter there in the end," Presbyterian coach Gregg Nibert said.
Georgia played without starting center Albert Jackson, sitting out his second game with a sprained ankle, and freshman forward Trey Thompkins, the team’s most heralded recruit, also with a sprained ankle.
Felton said he was hopeful that both could play in Monday’s NIT Season Tipoff game against Santa Clara.